Power Steering, Wheels and ABS System ... HELP!

[Dawnna]

Our 98 Malibu experienced an abs failure while traveling down a steep hill onto a major road and the pads and rotors have been changed so many times, it is ridiculous. The abs hydraulic unit has been replaced and the abs speed sensor connection, which was grounding out, repaired. The tires were recently changed and now the driver’s side wheel has a low hum/grind to it when travelling 20 - 30 mph and a distinct grind to it when stopping because the pad is applying too much pressure to stop the vehicle because of faulty information being sent by an abs speed sensor. We were told we have to replace a bearing/hub assembly because of the bad abs speed sensor (which stupidly is located within that assembly instead of being located and viewable by the axle) and that will probably run us about $500 to $800 just for the one wheel (the passenger side). If we repair this part, it will add to the $1,000 that has already been put into this car's front since January 04. I know GM was picky and choosy about the rack and pinion recall, but this vehicle luckily (hmmm, or maybe unluckily) was called in and this work was performed last week because the recall notice was delivered just a few weeks ago. So, now, I am left wondering if the abs system was not compromised by the faulty rack and pinion system in the first place. These parts are integral to one another and if components are not working properly and remain working improperly for four years (that is how long it took GM to get on this problem), then how in the world can the rest of the components, which are suppose to follow the lead of the primary component, suppose to work properly? Logical reasoning leads one to believe that it CANNOT and that there WILL BE evidence of bad components elsewhere … could that account for the premature wear and tear seen in this vehicle through excessive pad and rotor replacements, as well as the bearing/hub assembly replacements I have been seeing posts about?

Seriously, though, too many individuals are having the same problems and it might behoove some to report these problems to the NHSTA http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ as these issues ARE safety issues and will be life threatening one day. One can only hope that an investigation is performed before anything happens to anyone or before one has to die because of this particular car. However, if this did happen, GM would HAVE to right the wrongs of this vehicle ... how very, very sad it would be to have to be taken to such limits.

Please file a complaint with the NHTSA, report this car and all of its problems. This can be done through the link provided, by calling 1-8888-327-4236 or by personally petitioning for an investigation by letter. The address is:

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation
NSA-10.01, 400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

There is something to be said about solidarity in numbers and I think that way too many car manufacturers are just pulling the wool over our eyes. Otherwise, why would so many Americans be changing their vehicle buying habits and switching to foreign made cars? Could it be because the foriegn manufacturers back their vehicles and own up to the mistakes in design? Just a thought!